United States needs new viewpoint on electric cars

Many countries are making efforts to incorporate electric cars into society. The United States is far behind in progress compared to the rest of the world. To many countries electric cars are an important asset, because the effects of global warming are being felt more prominently, and there is a chance that by 2040 the goals set by the Paris Agreement may be met in part through the use of electric cars.

However, since the United States has opted to leave the Paris Agreement, the urgency toward reducing climate change has decreased. The official viewpoint of the U.S. government, though, does not account for the massive population in the United States. Individual states have decided to honor the goals laid out by the Paris Agreement, which includes supporting electric vehicles.

Many researchers believe that electric vehicles will sell well because of one simple reason: the cost of batteries is decreasing exponentially.

Consumers originally ignored electric vehicles because of their high costs until Tesla produced its Model S in 2012. This car changed the course of electric cars because it managed to reach 200 miles on a single charge. Tesla is continuously researching new data to reduce the time it takes to charge a plug-in vehicle which will appeal to mass consumers, especially in the United States.

Around 2040, it is predicted that electric cars will join the competitive market. The plug-ins will be able to challenge petroleum-run vehicles on an even playing field. It is logical that Congress should start to prepare legislation to welcome electric vehicles for the near future. With the political polarization and the different viewpoints on climate change, it is unlikely that Congress will make any substantial progress on the topic. If Congress views the rise of electric cars from a purely economic standpoint even without environmental considerations, it could propel productive discussion.

If the United States instigated a similar approach, the sale of electric cars would be higher, but car buyers and car dealers are hesitant about committing to electric cars. Therefore, everything remains stagnant. What differs from the United States and the rest of the world in regards to electric cars is the mentality that drives the country.

China is one of the prominent countries that leads in progressive sustainability because it does not just promote electric cars, but alternative energy sources and reusable materials.

Europe, similarly, has always been a big proponent of public transportation which has lessened its air pollution.

However, in the United States, being the “free” nation that it is, there is always a constant and stubborn debate of two sides, neither yielding to the other.

In regards to electric cars, one side says that consumer psychology hinders the success of producing plug-in vehicles, while the other side promotes the fact that electric cars are the future. However, in the midst of this debate, one thing remains true: climate change is happening and the consequences are too significant to ignore.